Against his better judgment, when Billy was about eleven or twelve, Daddy relented and gave him permission to sit with his friend Kenny in church one Sunday. He’d always had an iron-clad rule that we had to sit together as a family way up in front on the third pew, but was somehow, Billy convinced him he could handle the challenge that day. Neither had reckoned with the devil super ball hiding in Billy’s pocket as he ecstatically took a seat next to his friend about five rows back. All was well till that devil ball started sending psychic prompts a few minutes into the sermon. Billy took it out, inspiring awe in Kenny. They passed it silently between them a few times keeping their eyes straight ahead. No one was the wiser. Temptation got the better of Billy and he bounced the ball between his feet, catching it on the return. There was a small plunk, but no great disturbance. He was emboldened by success and had to try it again. The slight plunk on the hardwood was noticeable, but since the boys kept their composure and stared straight ahead, the sermon continued. It was going so well, Billy bounced it another time or two. Of course, luck finally ran out and the hard rubber ball bounced and rolled down the slightly inclined pine floor, bumping a few supports and bouncing joyously along the way. Daddy knew immediately who the culprit was, turned, and shot Billy the “look of death.” Kenny, who enjoyed much more casual parenting struggled to stifle his hysteria.
That ball rolled and bounced, bounced and rolled. The sound seemed deafening, though Brother Robert, the preacher, never faltered in his sermon. As the ball neared the dais, he stepped down, and scooped up the ball mid-bounce. I had to admire the smooth move. I could see he had some natural athletic ability. Without hesitation, he continued the sermon, walking in front of the dais and bouncing the ball. Brother Robert held my attention as never before. Never missing a catch, he pocketed the little ball and went straight to altar call. I truly prayed for Billy’s life. I couldn’t imagine what his fate might be. We finished church as always, filing out to greet the preacher at the door.
Surprisingly, Daddy didn’t kill Billy as I expected. Maybe it tickled his funny bone, though he never let on. The next Sunday, Billy was in his usual seat on the third row, right next to Daddy. He never got his superball back.
It’s moments like this that make sitting in church memorable for kids 🙂 and, I dare say, adults !
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LOL, all I can say is hilarious. Also, believe me when I tell you, never, never chew bubblegum while in the confessional.☺☺
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I need to know more about that.
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Love reading your blogs and comments from your friends/followers. Count me among them! I’m also a fan/follower of your fan/follower, awhitlow2 and am looking forward to catching up with her soon. I must confess that I find it a little daunting trying to keep up with everybody — and for some reason, I’m not receiving emails when folks post. I’ll have to work on that. Meanwhile, I’m going to check out your book! Looking forward to reading more from you!
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I’d be so happy if you did. Everything Smells Like Poke Salad s the tales of my mother’s childhood I grew up on. just Women Getting by is stories of strong women I’ve known and heard about. If you read them, please leave a review, the author’s bread and butter. I am so glad I discovered AWhitlow, too. I love her writing, and yours too!
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Beautifully written Linda. I saw every moment of it.
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Thanks. Was hoping I got it right. Didn’t want to look like God was writing through……..well you know.
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LOL! You perfectly captured those little boys. I remember doing things like this as a little boy in the Synagogue.
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Kids don’t change, do they?
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Not really–Although the quality of parenting does.
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This story captivated me immediately…holding my breath with the rolling and bouncing of he ball, grinning as the preacher took it, and laughing throughout!.. “Kenny, who enjoyed much more casual parenting struggled to stifle his hysteria.”….”Surprisingly, Daddy didn’t kill Billy as I expected.”… Great story-telling!
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So glad you let me know. I am engrossed in you site right now.
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Thank you! I just finished your book, Just Women Getting By: Leaving a Legacy of Strength, and LOVED it!
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I am so glad. Much of it was based on stories of people I knew. The chapter “God’s Been Good to Me” was loosely based on my paternal grandmother’s life. I have since learned that the father of her oldest daughter was probably the Nile who took her in when her grandmother died. It broke my heart. I would be so grateful if you’d post a review on Amazon. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it.
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Aw, wow.
It was my honor to leave a review (AAlfieC) and an even bigger honor to have read it and glimpsed into those women’s lives.
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Thanks so much.
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Hi there
Thank you for dropping and the ‘like’ of the Senior Salon post on my blog EsmeSalon. I would love to see you participate and share a post from your blog with us. Linkup commences each Monday at 02:00 am and end the Friday at 8:00 pm PDT (Pacific Daylight Time).
Esmé from EsmeSalon
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I thought I had linked one but messed up. I will try again. Thanks.
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Oh I bet there’s a preacher or two that could write books on what they see or hear from up there. Very funny.
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My preacher nephew has some tales.
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I wish I had been there!!! No, never mind. I’m sure it was better in your telling than in real life.
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The amazing thing was he didn’t get in any real trouble. Daddy’s reaction was unpredictable. A kid might not get in any real trouble for a horrible transgression than a small matter. I think Daddy was almost gratified by a horrible transgression. It was no more than he expected, but it could go either way. I was so glad when I got away.
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I can’t imagine the emotional roller-coaster life you bore.
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I am glad not to do that anymore.
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I can understand that you don’t want to repeat emotional things from your childhood, but you coped so well! All that experience will go to waste!
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Mother softened our path.
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Please tell your mother I love her.
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I will. Everybody loves my mother.
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And tons of people love you!
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Why thank you!
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It also made me cautious marrying.
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You made an excellent choice when you did marry.
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Bud and I are fortunate to have each other.
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I bet you weren’t the only one paying more attention to the preacher as he bounced that ball.
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Mother was trying to be nvisible and Daddywatced every move.
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My dad always said the rosary, all during mass.
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Wonder how people can be so focused.
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I have NO idea 😉
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Mother was trying to be invisible and Daddy was all eyes.
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